Knowledge, attitude and practice towards cervical cancer among women in Finote Selam city administration, West Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region, North West Ethiopia, 2017

INTRODUCTION: Cancer of the cervix is the leading cause of cancer-related death among women, especially in developing countries affecting women at a time of life when they are critical to social and economic stability. METHOD: The study was conducted at Finote Selam City Administration from February 01 to March 01, 2017 using a community-based cross-sectional study design. The representative sample size was selected using multistage sampling technique. The data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire adapted from the previous study. Data were entered using EpiData Version 3.1 statistical software and analyzed using SPSS version 20 statistical package. RESULT: One hundred seventy (23.1%) were knowledgeable about cervical cancer whereas 63% of participants had a negative attitude and only 7.3% had ever screened for the disease. Logistic regression analysis showed that age, marital status, religion, experienced sexual intercourse and age at 1(st) sexual intercourse were found to be significantly associated with the knowledge of cancer of the cervix. CONCLUSION: Ministry of health in collaboration with other concerned bodies should design a strategy to give education about cervical cancer including information on risk factors, signs and symptoms; and availability of screening should be provided for women and as well as for the public.